The state of Oman occupies the south-eastern extremity of the Arabian Peninsula, a location of considerable strategic significance owing to its proximity to, and partial control over, the maritime routes through which a substantial proportion of the world’s oil supply transits the Gulf. The country has maintained longstanding military and political relationships with the United Kingdom and the United States.
Since 1744, Oman has been governed by the Al Bu Sa‘id dynasty. Historically, it functioned as a prominent regional power, with a sultanate extending into parts of present-day Iran and Pakistan, and reaching southward to Zanzibar on the coast of south-eastern Africa. Over subsequent centuries, however, Oman’s regional influence diminished, and the state became increasingly subject to British political and strategic interests.
Between 1932 and 1970, Oman was ruled by Sultan Sa‘id bin Taimur.
Sultan Sa’id bin Taimur ,1910-1972 (Image: Wikidata)
Sultan Sa‘id bin Taimur, while careful to preserve Oman’s longstanding relationship with the United Kingdom, demonstrated little interest in the sustained stability or modernization of his country. His deliberate isolation of Oman from external influence, resistance to social and economic development, and inability to manage the increasingly complex dynamics of domestic politics ultimately elevated Omani internal affairs to an international concern.
By the early 1960s, discontent in the province of Dhofar had coalesced into an organized rebellion that would adopt Marxist ideology and evolve into the Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman. The insurgency intensified as the decade progressed. In 1966, Sultan Sa‘id survived an assassination attempt, that further heightened his reclusiveness and erratic governance. His growing suspicion and authoritarianism spared no one, including his own son, Qaboos bin Sa‘id.
Sultan Qaboos and the Coup d’état
Sultan Qaboos bin Sa‘id (pictured below) was born in Salalah, Dhofar, on 18 November 1940. In 1960, at the age of 20, he entered the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in England, where he formed a close friendship with Tim Landon, who would later become a significant ally in the development of Oman. After graduating from Sandhurst, Qaboos joined the British Army and was posted to the 1st Battalion, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), serving in Germany.
Sultan Qaboos Bin Sa‘id circa 1960 (Image: Keystone)
On his return to Oman in 1964, Qaboos was placed under house arrest by his father, Sultan Sa‘id, and remained there until 23 July 1970. With the support of the British government, who had become increasingly concerned by Sultan Sa‘id’s behavior and, with Oman on the brink of an oil boom, were eager to secure their influence, operatives from the SAS were deployed to assist Qaboos, together with his friend Tim Landon, in deposing his father in a palace coup d’état.
Brigadier Timothy “Tim” Landon, the mysterious “White Sultan,” as he became known, is believed to have been a key ally in the plot to overthrow the old Sultan and install his son on the throne. A latter-day T. E. Lawrence, Landon served Britain through his close bond with the Arab world. He remained a close friend and advisor to Qaboos throughout his life.
Brigadier Timothy ‘Tim’ Landon (Image: Dhofar War Image RJK Adonib via The Times)
The above image is one of only a few known to exist of Landon, a man who guarded his privacy with extreme care. It is said that when at home in the UK, he would drive a privately owned black London taxi to avoid attention. Sultan Qaboos is believed to have sent Landon a gift of £1 million each year on his birthday, contributing to the significant estate Landon left upon his death in 2007.
Following the coup, the deposed Sultan Sa‘id bin Taimur went into exile in London, where he died two years later. When once asked about his greatest regret, the former Sultan is reported to have replied: “Not having Landon shot.”
The New Oman and the SAS
On his ascension to the throne in 1970, Qaboos instigated major social, educational, and military reforms, with the aim of ending the country’s isolation and using its oil revenue for modernization and development.
As part of a wider rebranding exercise, he declared that the country would no longer be known as Muscat and Oman, but would instead be called the Sultanate of Oman to reflect its political unity. This was complemented by a new national flag, replacing the plain white flag that had been in use since 1865. The national flag of Oman, in use from 1970 to 1995, featured three colours: red, white and green.
The national flag of Oman
The colours of the new flag symbolised the following:
- White – peace and prosperity
- Green – fertility and the Jebel al Akhdar, or Green Mountains
- Red – battles against foreign invaders
The flag also incorporated the national emblem: a Khanjar dagger in a sheath, superimposed upon two crossed swords.
The Oman national emblem, a Khanjar dagger in a sheath superimposed upon two crossed swords.
Qaboos also added a new individual standard for the Sultanate of Oman, which exclusively featured the Khanjar in Gold with Sultans Crown above.
The standard for the Sultanate of Oman
In addition to implementing the necessary reforms to safeguard Oman’s future, Qaboos faced another issue: the Dhofar Rebellion, which had commenced in 1962, was by 1970 growing ever stronger.
British military commanders in Oman suggested that a “hearts and minds” campaign, code-named Operation Storm, be implemented, primarily by operatives from the British Special Forces’ elite 22nd SAS Regiment (Boat, Air, Mobility & Mountain counter-terrorism specialists).
Once Operation Storm was underway, many of the Omanis who opposed the Dhofar rebels (because of differing beliefs) sided with the SAS, who formed them into “counter gangs” using their superior local knowledge—a strategy that had worked well for the SAS in both Kenya and Malaya. The SAS gradually began to occupy commanding positions along the mountain range throughout the Dhofar region, engaging in running battles with the rebels as they did.
Nine SAS versus 250 Dhofar Rebels
The Battle of Mirbat took place at 6 a.m. on 19 July 1972. It has become one of the most famous standoffs in the regiment’s history; many have compared it to the renowned battle at Rorke’s Drift.
A nine-man permanent SAS team had been established at Mirbat earlier in the year. Each team was due to be posted for a three month tour before being replaced. The occupying team was preparing to leave that very morning when, at about 5:30 a.m., a patrol discovered 250 rebels on a hill to the north of the town.
One of the SAS gunners recalled what happened: “We opened fire simultaneously, unleashing a hail of .50-cal bullets and machine-gun fire at the approaching Adoo rebels. The running figures became a focal point where the red tracer and exploding incendiary rounds converged. Where moments before there had been an orderly advance, parts of the line now faltered and collapsed. Figures staggered, but still they kept coming, wave upon wave over the plain.”
The surrounded SAS troops knew the situation was serious; a frontal assault could only mean they were facing a very large force. A message was sent to SAS HQ at Salalah. The rebels were well organised, advancing in groups and using the high ground to lay down covering fire. By now, rounds were coming in from all directions over the forts.
A lull in the fighting, as the rebels recovered their wounded, allowed two SAS troops to reach the gun pit of an antique 25-pounder (pictured below), which was used to devastating effect on the rebels. As they fell, more replaced them.
A gun pit during the Battle of Mirbat (Image: lordashcroft.com)
The perimeter walls started to collapse under heavy grenade attacks. A helicopter sent by HQ attempted to land on the nearby beach to evacuate the wounded but was hit by enemy machine-gun fire and forced to turn back. At the gun pit, one of the SAS troops had been killed, and the other, with a bad wound to his chin, resorted to firing the gun single handedly, with the cannon raised to fire level at point-blank range.
The 23-year-old SAS captain, Mike Kealy, radioed for an air strike. By now, the rebels were almost on top of the gun pit. The remaining men continued to pick off the advancing troops despite an almost continuous hail of bullets and grenades. Just as all seemed lost, two Strike Master jets roared overhead.
From the radio, the jets were given targets. They would have to drop 500 lb bombs on positions less than 60 yards from the gun crew. Just the sight of the jets had an immediate effect on the rebels, many of whom began retreating. One jet was hit by heavy machine-gun fire and forced to withdraw; more aircraft were called in while the rebels continued to retreat. A squadron based at SAS HQ was also dispatched and landed on the beach after flying in very low to avoid detection. A second air strike began as they were landing.
By 10:30 a.m., the rebels were forced to retreat in numbers. The wounded were loaded onto helicopters and flown back to HQ.
SAS casualties included two dead and two seriously wounded.
In Britain, the battle received no publicity, and the gallantry awards were not awarded until some four years after the event. The nine SAS soldiers present at the Battle of Mirbat on 19 July 1972 were:
- Captain Mike Kealy
- Staff Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba (Killed in Action) (memorial pictured below)
- Sergeant Bob Bennett
- Corporal Roger Cole
- Lance Corporal P. Warne (aka Pete Wignall or Winner, Soldier I & Snapper)
- Trooper Sekonaia Takavesi (Killed in Action)
- Trooper Tommy Tobin
- Austin “Fuzz” Hussey
- Corporal L. M. Taylor (understood to have been an alias)
Staff Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba Memorial (Image: Viti Noqu Viti FB)
Mission Accomplished
When the Dhofar rebellion finally ended in 1976, with the insurgents suppressed, the SAS contingent that had been engaged in the conflict from the time of the coup amounted to around 80 men (supported by Oman locals). The insurgents had numbered almost 15,000, a staggering achievement.
The 22nd SAS Regiment went on to engage in countless other anti terrorist campaigns, and achieved notoriety during the 1982 Iranian Embassy siege which was broadcast worldwide.
Recognition by Gifts
In the Gulf, it is customary to present gift, often watches, in recognition of achievements, appreciation, or as a mark of respect. British troops on active duty were not normally allowed to accept such gifts. However, in the case of Oman circa 1970–76, these restrictions did not apply. The SAS were never officially on active duty, but operated in Oman under the cover of the “British Army Training Team,” as per official documentation at the time.
Two examples, which we have previously owned and subsequently placed in important collections, provide the perfect opportunity to study further both the Rolex 1665 Red and Gold Khanjar Sea-Dwellers, which were presented as gifts to SAS operatives by Qaboos for the 1970–76 Oman campaign.
The Rolex Red Oman Khanjar and Qaboos Sea-Dwellers
The Rolex reference 1665 Oman Sea-Dwellers, with either red Khanjar or Qaboos dial script, were commissioned by Sultan Qaboos bin Sa‘id via Asprey of London in the early 1970s and presented to British SAS troops who had served in Oman during the Dhofar Rebellion between 1970 and 1976.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with red Khanjar emblem (Image: The Collections Vol I)
Many of the watches that have surfaced, like the one above, are found with a deep patina, caused by Middle Eastern humidity being absorbed by the tritium markers.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with red Qaboos signature (Image: The Collections Vol I)
The configuration of the watches that have surfaced to date is as follows:
- The double red lines, depth rating, and SCOC found on standard 1665s of the period are absent. In their place, the Omani Khanjar or Qaboos signature appears in bright red script.
- The tritium on the five-minute markers is applied very heavily.
- The serial numbers all begin 3.56 million and are engraved between the lugs at 6:00 and inside the inner case back.
- The outer case back features the expected straight “Rolex”-style engravings of the period, along with Asprey engravings positioned in the lower centre.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with Asprey case back (Image: The Collections Vol I)
Following a comprehensive study of the known serial numbers, I believe up to 100 examples were produced in a consecutively numbered batch, starting with serial 3.566.9xx and ending at 3.567.0xx. Of these estimated 100 examples, approximately 30 percent are now known. The known watches are evenly split between red Khanjar and Qaboos dials, and the two variants appear to have been fitted in a random sequence, for example, consecutive serials may feature either dial, followed by small batches of three to four with the same type.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 side profile (Image: The Collections Vol I)
The estimated number of watches issued could be supported by the number of SAS soldiers who served in Oman during the period 1970–1976, again reported to be around 80 to 100 operatives, so the assumption that each soldier would have been allocated an Oman Sea-Dweller in recognition of their services has some foundation.
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with red Qaboos signature helium valve detail (Image: The Collections Vol I)
The use of the colour red for the Khanjar or Qaboos signature on the dials is also relevant to the colour of the new Oman national flag during this period. Red appropriately symbolises battles against foreign invaders.
The Rolex Gold Oman Khanjar Sea-Dweller
A Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 1665 with gold Khanjar emblem (Image: The Collections Vol I)
To date, only five examples of the Rolex 1665 Omani Sea-Dweller with gold Khanjar dial script have surfaced, and as such, the information on configuration and delivery is something of a mystery when compared to its red counterparts. The watch featured above is the fourth example to surface, with each new discovery aiding our understanding of the batch.
The configuration of the Rolex 1665 Omani Sea-Dwellers with gold Khanjar dials that have surfaced to date is as follows:
- The two lines of Double Red Text, depth rating, and SCOC found on the standard 1665s of the period are absent, and in place the Omani Khanjar appears in gold script.
- The Rolex coronet on the dial is of a unique style and differs from the Rolex 1665 Oman Red Khanjar or other coronets on the Double Reds of the period.
- The tritium application on the five-minute markers is absent or minimally applied.
- The serial numbers all begin 5 million.
On further analysis of the known watches, the serials indicate something more. On four of the five known watches, the serials fall within the standard Double Red batch of 5 million.
I have deliberately omitted the serial numbers, but they indicate a consistent timeline.
On these four watches, the serial number is also engraved between the lugs at 6:00 and inside the case back.
Two of the above five watches have been serviced within recent years by Rolex Geneva, and records appear correct.
The remaining known example has a slight variation to the serial, and while close, is slightly later at 5.3 million. The case back style also differs, although consistent with the Great White Sea-Dwellers of this period. The inner case back does not have the serial number engraved inside, which, whilst again consistent with a 5.3 million serial Sea-Dweller, would also indicate that the dial was quite probably not born with the watch but fitted later, as it appears out of batch. However, until more examples surface or the delivery is confirmed by Rolex, it remains only speculation.
So how many of the Rolex 1665 Omani Sea-Dwellers with gold Khanjar dials were produced, and why?
If we assume the same ratio as with the Red Oman watches, approximately 100 watches produced, with 30 percent having surfaced to date, this would indicate a production of gold Khanjar Sea-Dwellers numbering up to around 15 examples.
Using the historical information provided earlier of Oman during the period 1970–1976, we know that the gold Khanjar was used only to represent the Sultanate of Oman on the Sultanate’s official standard, whereas the national flag features the Khanjar in white. If the use of red on the Red Khanjar/Qaboos Sea-Dwellers is, as we believe, significant, it would suggest the use of gold here would also be, possibly to indicate a special presentation directly by Sultan Qaboos himself.
We know that the Battle of Mirbat was under-reported, and many considered the SAS team deserving of further individual awards for gallantry. However, many in Oman at that time perceived a desire by HM Government and the MoD to downplay incidents of direct involvement of British service personnel in military action. The British Military Intelligence Corporal who received a medal for gallantry from the Sultan at the time was threatened with disciplinary action by the British Army for being directly involved.
So it was not until some four years later, after the battle and once the Dhofar Rebellion had been suppressed, that:
- Captain Mike Kealy received the Distinguished Service Order.
- Sergeant Bob Bennett was awarded the Military Medal.
The gunners manning the 25-pounder:
- Trooper Sekonaia Takavesi received the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and
- Staff Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba was awarded a posthumous Mention in Dispatches.
His former comrades have since campaigned for him to receive a posthumous Victoria Cross.
We know that Qaboos was fully aware of the Battle of Mirbat, as he presented an Omani named Walid Khamis, who was injured during the battle, with the Sultan’s Gallantry Medal, Oman’s highest award.
Given that the Battle of Mirbat was a pivotal moment in defeating the insurgents, and the lack of recognition given to the SAS soldiers by their own government, it is not inconceivable to think that Qaboos, who had previously commissioned the Red Oman watches to commemorate the SAS soldiers who occupied Oman during the 1970–1976 campaign, would commission a small, special batch to honour the nine SAS soldiers (and possibly others like William Stoker, SOAF Strike Master jet commander) who put their lives at risk during the Battle of Mirbat to defend Oman from the rebellion. Of course, without official delivery information from Rolex, Qaboos, or the surviving SAS soldiers, this is just speculation, but should encourage further discussion, research, and understanding of the events in Oman during the 1970s and the important watches that commemorate the period.
© Copyright Daniel Bourn www.danielbourn.com
If you would like to discuss, learn, or SELL your vintage Oman delivered Rolex timepiece, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
info@danielbourn.com
+41 79 515 1922
@daniel.bourn
